Windows XP Migration and Commercial Spending Helped Offset Weak Consumer PC Demand in the First Quarter of 2014, According to IDC

09 Apr 2014

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 9, 2014 – Worldwide PC shipments totaled 73.4 million units in the first quarter of 2014 (1Q14), a decline of -4.4% year on year, according to the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker. Although still in decline and with continuing weakness in consumer and emerging market segments, the preliminary results are slightly better than a projected decline of -5.3%.

Similar to the latter part of 2013, the upside in the first quarter arose primarily from demand in mature commercial markets. Commercial refresh projects, which had already been protracted, received a last push from the impending end of Windows XP support, particularly in Japan. In addition, slowing demand for tablets seems to have helped constrain previously drastic cutbacks in notebooks. Nevertheless, emerging regions continued to post weak results, with growth in Latin America and Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan)(APeJ) falling even faster than recent declines as both economic conditions and continued tablet penetration stifled PC shipments.

"Worldwide PC shipments have now declined for eight consecutive quarters as a result of shifting technology usage and competition (notably with tablets & smartphones) as well as economic pressures (including high unemployment, slow growth & investment, tight credit, and currency fluctuations) related to the Great Recession, sovereign debt crises, and their related impact on international trade," said Loren Loverde, Vice President, Worldwide PC Trackers. "The economic front seems to be gradually stabilizing and/or improving. However, this has been a slow process, and it is unlikely that sovereign debt issues will be resolved soon or that growth in emerging markets like China will return to prior levels. On the technology front, the transition to more mobile devices and usage modes is unlikely to stop, although the short term impact on PC shipments may slow as tablet penetration rises – as we've begun to see in some mature regions. The net result remains consistent with our past forecasts – in particular, that there is potential for PC shipments to stabilize, but not much opportunity for growth."

"PC shipment growth in the United States remained slightly faster than most other regions in the first quarter. However, the passing boost from XP replacements, constrained consumer demand, and no clear driver of a market rebound are expected to keep growth below zero going forward," said Rajani Singh, Senior Research Analyst, Personal Computing. "A rebound in consumer or a continuation of accelerated commercial upgrades could boost growth slightly, but low demand for upgrades in general combined with competition from tablets and 2-in-1 systems limit the growth potential."

Regional Highlights

United States – The U.S. market continued to stabilize with growth near zero – in line with forecasts. With shipments totaling 14.3 million PCs in 1Q14, the U.S. market contracted by -0.6% from the same quarter a year ago. Desktop shipments were slightly stronger, posting 3.5% growth, while portables remained in negative territory.

EMEA – The PC market in EMEA returned to more stable levels and performed above expectations, with shipments supported by healthy demand in the commercial space, where end of Windows XP support and improving macro-economic outlook led to stronger than anticipated sell-in across a number of countries. The consumer market started to stabilize, showing signs of improvement; however shipments remained within negative trends. Performance in some mature markets appears to have been more positive than expected, with growth enhanced particularly by corporate renewals, while the business environment in the emerging economies proved difficult, with shipments affected by currency fluctuations and high inventory in certain countries.

Japan – The scale of commercial refresh remained remarkably strong, helping Japan achieve yet another double-digit growth quarter. Consumer volume was also good due to the last minute surge in demand before the VAT increase in April. All major vendors saw sizable growth and Japan shipments rose to more than 7% of worldwide PC volume – the highest since early 2006.

Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) – Most markets continued to struggle with lackluster demand and cautious channel intake. Inventory remains higher than ideal for most vendors, although pockets of retail are showing signs of mild pick up. Although shipments were close to forecast, growth declined by double digits, marking a full two years of shipment declines for APeJ.

Vendor Highlights

Lenovo preserved its lead in total worldwide PC shipments despite a seasonal drop due to the Chinese New Year. Growth in other regions continued at a solid pace although Latin America slowed after a dramatic expansion over the past year.

HP remained in the number 2 position, with growth rising nicely to nearly 5% year on year, the company's highest growth in more than two years. Strong results in EMEA had the largest impact on HP's results, although growth in the U.S. and Canada also improved notably.

Dell grew over 9% in the first quarter, its highest rate since 4Q11 and the third consecutive quarter of positive year-on-year growth. The vendor's revamped channel strategy – with greater focus on partners and solutions as well as use of PC sales as part of broader solutions – Is paying dividends as the company benefits from the relative strength of commercial replacements as well as operational freedom and reduced uncertainty after completing the privatization.

Acer continues to work on stabilizing PC shipments. Fourth quarter growth turned up nicely, but first quarter results slipped again. Slow consumer demand, competition from other players, and a shift in product portfolio towards 2-in-1 and tablets all contributed to the slower PC results.

ASUS growth slipped notably in the U.S., but follows a relatively strong fourth quarter. The company is in a challenging spot – working to expand regional coverage with a consumer focus when emerging regions and consumers are slow parts of the market. Even so, the company grew faster than the market in EMEA and APeJ (its two largest markets) and saw strong gains in Latin America.

Chart: Top 5 Worldwide PC Vendors, 1Q 2014 (Share in Units)Description: Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, April 9, 2014. Preliminary PC market data for calendar quarter 2014 Q1. Taxonomy Note: PCs include Desktop, Mini Notebook and other Portable PCs, and do not include handhelds or Tablets without hardwired keyboards such as the Apple iPad or Android Tablets Note: IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker provides PC market data for over 80 countries by vendor, form factor, brand, processor brand and speed, sales channel and user segment. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis as well as price band and installed base data. For more information, or to subscribe to the research, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 1-650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com. Further detail about this tracker can be found at: http://www.idc.com/tracker/showproductinfo.jsp?prod_id=1Tags: IDC, IDC Research, idc.com, International Data Corporation, IDC Press Release, IDC data, computer market, PC, PC shipment, notebooks, desktops, HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer, ASUS, Intel, AMDAuthor: IDCcharts powered by iCharts

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Top 5 Vendors, United States PC Shipments, First Quarter 2014 (Preliminary) (Units Shipments are in thousands)

Vendor

1Q14 Shipments

1Q14 Market Share

1Q13 Shipments

1Q13 Market Share

1Q14/1Q13 Growth

1. HP

3,651

25.6%

3,570

24.9%

2.3%

2. Dell

3,488

24.5%

3,074

21.4%

13.4%

3. Lenovo

1,544

10.8%

1,274

8.9%

21.2%

4. Apple

1,471

10.3%

1,581

11.0%

-7.0%

5. Toshiba

1,188

8.3%

1,278

8.9%

-7.0%

Others

2,920

20.5%

3,571

24.9%

-18.2%

Total

14,262

100.0%

14,349

100.0%

-0.6%

Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, April 9, 2014

Table Notes:

Some IDC estimates prior to financial earnings reports.

Shipments include shipments to distribution channels or end users. OEM sales are counted under the vendor/brand under which they are sold.

PCs include Desktops, Portables, Ultraslim Notebooks, Workstations and do not include handhelds, x86 Servers and Tablets (i.e. iPad, Tablets with detachable keyboards running either Windows or Android). Data for all vendors are reported for calendar periods.

IDC's Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker gathers PC market data in over 80 countries by vendor, form factor, brand, processor brand and speed, sales channel and user segment. The research includes historical and forecast trend analysis as well as price band and installed base data.

For more information, or to subscribe to the research, please contact Kathy Nagamine at 650-350-6423 or knagamine@idc.com.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. In 2014, IDC celebrates its 50th anniversary of providing strategic insights to help clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.